Course Summary

The Story of Science 3 - The Physical Sciences since 1800

Unit 1 - Chemistry Since 1800

This unit is about developments in inorganic and physical chemistry and includes discoveries since 1800 on gases and combustion, electrolysis, atoms and molecules and the periodic table, atomic and molecular structure.

Unit 2 - Organic Chemistry And Recent Developments

Here we start with organic chemistry, biochemistry and analytical chemistry then move to broader issues of recent developments in inorganic chemistry, industrial chemistry, and chemistry and society in order to complete the story of chemistry since 1800. At the end of this unit we look at Timeline 7 for chemistry since 1800.

Unit 3 - Natural Philosphy Since 1800

This is the first unit on physics which in 1800 was known as natural philosophy. It covers the transition from natural philosophy to physics, mechanics and gravitation, and statics and engineering design before moving on to motion and energy, waves and wave motion, oscillations and resonance, and circular motion.

Unit 4 - Thermodynamics And Electromagnetism

This unit starts with heat and thermodynamics before dealing with electromagnetism and electric current, an understanding of which is important as a basis for later units.

Unit 5 - Electrons, Masers And Electronics

From the early work on electricity we move on to the discovery of electrons and protons, X-rays and radioactivity. Various electrical effects and devices are then described including the photoelectric effect, the photovoltaic effect, masers and lasers. The unit finishes with an outline of electronics.

Unit 6 - Atoms, Quantum Theory And Relativity

In this unit we meet the basics of modern physics and the more recent ideas on the structure of matter and the origin of the universe. It deals with the structure of atoms, cosmic rays, condensed matter, quantum theory, Einstein and relativity, black holes, and the beginning of the universe.

Unit 7 - Nuclear Physics And The Theory Of Everything

Here we learn about current thinking on nuclear physics, quantum rules, symmetry, the origin of the universe, evolution of understanding the nature of time, the search for a unified theory, and some views on the role of God in controlling what has happened and what is happening in our universe. We then look at the results of a survey of opinion on the ten most famous women in science. The unit finishes with an examination of Timeline 8 for physics since 1800.